We are a division of Foresight Bank, the largest locally headquartered
and managed bank in the region!
Frequently Asked Questions | FDIC Questions | Consolidation Update, May 2025 | Consolidation Announcement, December 2024 | Security Tips
Consolidation Update: What’s Next For You?
As of May 1, 2025, our fellow Foresight community banks, Northwest Bank of Rockford, State Bank, Lena State Bank, State Bank of Davis, and State Bank of Herscher, officially joined us as a division of Foresight Bank.
This milestone strengthens our ability to serve you through enhanced efficiency, shared resources, and expanded tools—while keeping the local service and decision-making you’ve always trusted.
What’s Coming Next
Our Digital Banking App is Getting a New Look!
On Monday August 25, 2025 our digital banking app will automatically update with a refreshed Foresight Bank look.
- Same platform you use today
- Same username and password
- Same settings and features
Important Dates to Know:
To complete this transition, our branches will be closed for system maintenance on two Saturdays:
- Saturday, August 23, 2025 – All GASB Branches will be Closed for Maintenance.
- Saturday, October 25, 2025 – All GASB Branches will be Closed for Maintenance.
During these scheduled maintenance weekends, a few services will be temporarily impacted:
- Digital Banking will be unavailable beginning the Friday before at 4:00 p.m.
- iTalk will be in inquiry-only mode beginning the Friday before at 4:00 p.m.
- Debit Cards will continue to work.
- Digital Wallets (Apple/Google Pay) will remain active with no action needed—you will however notice our refreshed Foresight Bank look.
These brief closures allow us to bring all systems together and ensure a smooth customer experience across all locations.
Consistent Products. Expanded Access.
We’re aligning our banking products so you have access to the same options, features, and benefits—at every Foresight Bank division.
To make this possible, your account will be updated during the August maintenance weekend listed above. These updates are essential to ensure a smooth experience across all Foresight Bank locations. We’re committed to placing you in products with similar features to what you use today. We will provide more information regarding your account type closer to maintenance weekend.
Starting October 28, 2025, you’ll have the freedom to bank at any of our 12 locations and access 47+ ATMs.
What to Expect
Primary account holders, be on the lookout for a detailed welcome booklet arriving by mail this July. Inside, you’ll find:
• New product information
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Key dates to remember
• Helpful tools to guide you through these updates
If you have any questions, please call our branches at 815.362.2310.
[December 2024] At German American State Bank, we’re always looking for ways to better serve you. As part of the Foresight Financial Group family of banks, which includes German American State Bank, State Bank Freeport, Lena State Bank, State Bank of Davis, Northwest Bank of Rockford, and State Bank of Herscher, we’re proud to offer the best of both worlds: the strength of a larger network combined with the local service and decision-making that you value. Over the past few years, we’ve worked as a group to enhance services and improve efficiency, always with you—and the well-being of our communities—in mind.
Now, as a natural next step, we’re bringing our six community banks together under a single charter. This is not a merger or buyout; it’s an internal change to structure that strengthens our organization and enhances what we can offer you. This transition will not change the way you bank in any negative way. Instead, it opens the door to even better solutions, service, and convenience. We’re becoming the largest locally headquartered and managed banks in the region, allowing us to streamline operations and provide an improved banking experience with valuable benefits we can pass on to you.
What You Can Continue to Count On:
- You’ll still be banking with the same familiar faces and working with the trusted team you know and trust.
- We’ll still be German American State Bank, but operate as a Division of Foresight Bank, so as of January 1, 2025 you’ll begin to see Foresight Bank on notices, statements, and other documents. See included insert for additional information on this.
- Our commitment to community banking values remains unchanged – decisions will continue to be made by local leaders who understand our market.
What You Can Look Forward To:
- Enhanced Convenience: Soon, you’ll have seamless access to in-person services at any of our 14 locations across Stephenson, Winnebago, and Kankakee counties, saving you time and expanding your banking options.
- Increased Lending Power: Our expanded lending limits will provide you with greater support for personal, commercial, and agricultural goals, with faster access to approvals and funds when you need them.
- Continued Local Decisions: We’ll remain locally chartered, so you can count on decisions being made by people who know our communities and can respond quickly and effectively to your needs.
- New Offerings: You’ll enjoy access to a broader range of products, services, and technology designed to meet your evolving financial needs and provide you with cost-effective solutions.
We’ve included answers to some frequently asked questions to help clarify what this transition means for you. We’ll continue to keep you informed and are always here to address any questions or needs you may have along the way.
Thank you for being a valued part of our banking family. We’re excited about these enhancements and look forward to meeting your personal and business banking needs with the same dedication and care you’ve always trusted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is anything changing right now?
While you don’t need to take any action today, we want you to be aware of some important upcoming dates:
On Monday August 25, 2025 our digital banking app will automatically update with a refreshed Foresight Bank look.
- Same platform you use today
- Same username and password
- Same settings and features
Important Dates to Know:
To complete this transition, our branches will be closed for system maintenance on two Saturdays:
- Saturday, August 23, 2025 – All GASB Branches Closed
- Saturday, October 25, 2025 – All GASB Branches Closed
These brief closures allow us to bring all systems together and ensure a smooth customer experience across all locations.
When will I receive information about the upcoming changes?
You will receive a personalized welcome booklet by mail in July. This will include everything you need to know and do.
Will I have to change my login or learn a new system?
No. The platform will remain the same with a fresh look. You will continue to log in with your existing credentials as you do today.
Will my products change?
As part of the consolidation, we are aligning all of our product offerings across Foresight Bank. Most customers will be transitioned to updated products that closely align with the features and benefits they’re used to.
If you have any questions or want to explore which account is the best fit for your needs, your local banker is here to help guide you through the transition. Our goal is to make this as smooth and seamless as possible, with consistent offerings across all of our divisions.
Will my account number or routing number change?
Most customers will not see any changes to their existing account numbers or routing numbers.
- Your current account(s) and routing number(s) will continue to work as they do today—no action is required.
If you have any concerns or questions about your accounts, please contact your local banker.
Will I still work with the same people?
Yes! We’re still your community bank—staffed by people who live nearby, understand your needs, and are dedicated to helping you thrive. Though we’ve come together as one organization, we remain backed by a team of local leaders who live and work in the same communities we serve.
Where can I go if I have questions?
Visit your local branch, reach out to your banker, or check back here for updates. We’ll also include key contact info in your upcoming welcome booklet.
Why is German American State Bank consolidating?
We’re bringing our Foresight banks together under one charter to make operations simpler and focus more on serving you with the local banking services you value.
When will the consolidation occur?
German American State Bank will become a division of Foresight Bank 1/1/2025. All other Foresight Financial Group Banks will consolidate on 5/1/2025.
How will this impact my banking experience?
Your experience will stay the same. You’ll keep enjoying the same local, personal service from the German American State Bank staff you know and trust.
Will this affect my FDIC insurance coverage?
Your accounts remain fully insured by the FDIC. Until the consolidation is complete, any accounts you hold with different Foresight banks are insured separately. Once combined, your accounts will be aggregated for FDIC insurance purposes. If you have questions about your coverage levels, please reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to assist.
Will my account numbers or routing number change?
Routing numbers will not change. In most cases, your account number(s) will not change. There may be duplicate account numbers between banks, if we find you have an impacted account, we will contact you closer to the consolidation with next steps.
Can I still use my debit card and checks?
Yes, you can still use your German American State Bank debit card and checks.
Will I need to make changes to any automatic deposits or payments?
In most cases, no. For most customers, account and routing numbers will not change, and therefore any automatic deposits or payments will not be impacted by the consolidation.
What if I have accounts at multiple Foresight banks?
For now, your accounts will continue to be serviced separately. If any adjustments are needed in the future, we’ll provide clear information to ensure a smooth transition.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Questions
Will my FDIC insurance change as part of the consolidation?
Your accounts will continue to be FDIC insured. However, once our six banks; Northwest Bank of Rockford, German American State Bank, Lena State Bank, State Bank Freeport, State Bank of Davis, and State Bank of Herscher, consolidate into Foresight Bank on May 1, 2025, deposit balances held at multiple divisions will be combined for FDIC insurance purposes. However, the FDIC provides a 6-month grace period during which your coverage will remain unchanged—giving you time to review and adjust your accounts if needed. For time deposits, like CDs, with a maturity date outside the six month grace period, FDIC coverage will continue until six months after the maturity date.
Contact your banker for a personalized review to ensure your funds remain fully protected.
How long do I have before the balances are combined for FDIC insurance purposes?
The FDIC allows a grace period of six months from the date of consolidation, which is May 1, 2025. During that time, your deposits at each of the previously separate banks will continue to be insured separately. After that, your total balances across divisions will be combined for insurance purposes. For time deposits, like CDs, with a maturity date outside the six month grace period, FDIC coverage will continue until six months after the maturity date.
We encourage you to talk with your banker now to plan ahead and explore your options.
What is the standard FDIC insurance coverage?
The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category (such as individual, joint, trust, etc.).
If you’re unsure how this applies to your situation, reach out to your banker for assistance.
What should I do if I think my combined balances may exceed FDIC limits after May 1, 2025?
Our team is here to help. Contact your local branch or banker to review your accounts. We offer tailored solutions and strategies to help ensure your funds remain fully insured—even if your total balances exceed standard FDIC limits.
FDIC Insurance Coverage Notice
As of May 1, 2025, our six community banks officially consolidated under Foresight Bank. As a result of this consolidation, deposit accounts held at multiple divisions of Foresight Bank are now considered part of the same FDIC-insured institution.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides a six-month grace period—from May 1 through October 31, 2025—during which deposits that were separately insured under the original bank charters will continue to be insured separately. After this period, account balances across all divisions will be aggregated for insurance coverage and insured up to the standard limit of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. For time deposits, like CDs, with a maturity date outside the six month grace period, FDIC coverage will continue until six months after the maturity date.
If you have not yet reviewed your combined account balances, we encourage you to connect with your local banker. Our team is here to help you understand your coverage and explore available options to ensure your deposits remain fully protected.
For more information about FDIC insurance, visit www.fdic.gov or speak with your banker today.